Show Low’s historic jail to be moved and preserved…

The crude building is Show Low’s first jail, built around 1935 by Deputy Sheriff Ray Butler, who worked under Sheriff Divelbess at the time. Butler is said to have also built the Pinetop jail. The jail has a single cell.

According to the Arizona Memory Project developed by the Arizona Library, “the flat-roofed flagstone structure, approximately 7 ft x 8 ft, has one metal door with a barred-window and one small barred-window opening on the adjoining wall.”

The jail did not have glass windows or a solid door and heat was supplied by a small wood burning fire stove. The fire was said to be stoked by the prisoners as they waited for transport to Holbrook for arraignment.

The structure was originally built, and still sits, at about 50 south White Mountain Road/SR260 in Show Low. It is on the west side of SR260, a tad north of Owens Street but will soon be moved. Part of the jail is also said to sit on private property which makes it more challenging to access, preserve and maintain.

Within a couple of weeks it will find a new home adjacent to Show Low City Hall.